Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

We see you everyday Trooper Whitt. Passing through taking babygirl back to school (ECU). Gone but not forgotten!

Layla
Passer

December 26, 2023

I drove past this bridge on our way to Washington. I randomly googled his name and it’s weird we passed at 9:45 at night and that was the same time as his death, coincidence? I was moved by this. My condolences to loved ones.

Megan from michigan
None

November 3, 2023

Remembering you Leo on this 37th anniversary of your untimely death...RIP

Robin Crush

April 20, 2022

Today I had the pleasure of meeting your beautiful daughter and her pup Trooper. Your legacy sure does live on. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Much love and respect to you as well as your family.

Mary Johnston
Portsmouth LEOW

January 30, 2021

Another senseless and tragic loss of an American hero RIP Trooper. We will take it from here.

Retired Sgt. TJ Stetson
Baltimore County Police Department

November 17, 2020

Today is October 31st 2020 and as my family was driving North bound up I-95 heading home to Philadelphia after vacationing in Sunset Beach NC, a sign on the side of the road caught my eyes. It was not like any other inconspicuous road sign of direction or next food or gas stop but a marker in memorial of a man and a dedicated bridge stretching across the highway that most traveling never had the pleasure and honor to meet in our lifetime. Mr Whitt paid the ultimate price protecting and serving just as he had promised. May you rest in peace and condolences to your family always!

N/A
N/A

October 31, 2020

Rest in peace Trooper Whitt.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2020

Leo you were a great man. I loved talking to you. You helped me have faith in making decisions and overall my fellow men

Peace and love

July 30, 2019

Leo you were a great man. I loved talking to you. You helped me have faith in making decisions and overall my fellow men

Peace and love

July 30, 2019

Once again Leo, we remember and honor you for the work you did and the life you lived in Prince George county VA...

Anonymous

April 12, 2019

Back in 1972 I was 16 years old. I got pulled over a couple times by Leo on some small traffic infraction. He told me life was like a baseball game and 3 strikes you are out. He let me go on the first two times. I don't remember what they were, something like a expired inspection sticker. Then I did something again, took my tags off one car and put them on another. He took my license plates and told me he wouldn't give them back till I legally transferred them.

It took me a week to get the money so every afternoon l would walk to work about a 3 mile trip and every afternoon he would happen to be in the neighborhood and give me a ride to work most of the times in his own vehicle.


Sometimes when l am out and find a older state policeman l always ask if they knew him and a sometimes l find one old enough to remember him. They always say nice things about him because he was a nice guy. He will be remembered.

Mike Daggett

January 3, 2019

To Andrew Sanborn, we are so thankful for all that you did that horrible night thirty three years ago. Everything about that night was horrific for my family. The one thing that helped was the knowledge that the killer had been caught. We were in a trooper's car very late at night making a long ride from MCV hospital. I don't think he ever made it there despite a report on local news that he had. Word came over the radio that the search for the killer was over. You helped make this happen and we are indebted for that. I feel so sorry for families when the earthly justice is never seen.

Thank you to all who still remember my dad. We were shown much support and friendship by so many at our most difficult time. Kind deeds such as those are never forgotten. Andrew, please know we are grateful to you and wish you all the best in all that is ahead for you.

Angela

April 12, 2018

Andrew Sanborn you absolutely did the right thing that night and in respect of Officer Whitt, R.I.P. My great man. Andrew you heart should not be burdened, you did the best you could do!

LHS

March 14, 2018

Please Andrew Sanborn do not be troubled by your past. I am praying you will be comforted by the God who sees and cares and makes all things new! Please know that you are not under condemnation, you are FREE. The guilty will pay but you are not in this class. You are a favored one of God, please know the world is held captive by a prince of masquerade, a true leader of the dark world, but you are a child of light. Please keep seeking how to live into this role of child of the light, this is your true identity.

David J.
Caring

February 25, 2018

Please Andrew Sanborn do not be troubled by your past. I am praying you will be comforted by the God who sees and cares and makes all things new! Please know that you are not under condemnation, you are FREE. The guilty will pay but you are not in this class. You are a favored one of God, please know the world is held captive by a prince of masquerade, a true leader of the dark world, but you are a child of light. Please keep seeking how to live into this role of child of the light, this is your true identity.

David J.
Caring

February 25, 2018

I am the hitchhiker Andrew Sanborn who reported this wrong and very unfortunate incident. Over the years I have thought about ways I could have have helped to prevent this from happening. I was to afraid to interfere with the whole situation. I still have terrible dreams about this to this day. If I was braver I might have saved Mr.Whitt. I was thinking I'm gone to get killed. Which was selfish I know.I never did stop thinking about how officer Shirt did not deserve what Mr. Beaver did to him. My heart goes out to all of his family and co-workers. I know this was a very good man who did not deserve to die like that. I am glad I took the time to make sure Mr. Beaver did not get away with it. I could have got out at Hardee's Burger and kept hitchhiking. I know I made the right choice though. I am still very sorry I was not brave enough to try and save the man. That is something I live with and am bothered by till this day. God bless Trooper Whitt all who knew him. Sincerely Andrew Sanborn.

Andrew Sanborn
Eye witness

August 24, 2017

April always holds bittersweet memories for me--it's the month of my mother's birthday and the month Leo was killed in the line of duty.

Rest in peace Leo and Mom and know that I will be seeing you both again one of these old days.

C. Robin Crush
Family Friend

April 14, 2017

I was working as a Waverly police officer the night Leo was killed and heard a citizen's call for help that he made on the police radio. I remember we all looked for the shooter that night and was very relieved when an arrest was made later that night in Henrico county. I attended the trial of the murderer and later attended his execution where he was given a lethal injection.
I can honestly say that Trooper Whitt was an excellent role model and he always struck me as a true gentleman and was an excellent representative for the Virginia State Police. We all respected and will always miss Trooper Leo Whitt.

Special Agent Jim Croft
Virginia Conservation Police

April 12, 2017

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE

N.J. TROOPER (RETIRED)
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

February 5, 2017

Thinking of you Leo, on this the 31st anniversary of your death.

C. Robin Crush

April 12, 2016

Austin

I don't have any stories, and I never knew your grandfather, but I have been in Law Enforcement now for over 17 years and can reflect on the type of person he was. Your grandfather was a great man of high moral character, and someone who took his job and oath to heart. Your grandfather understood what it meant to give 110 percent of yourself, everyday! He may have been taken from this world too soon, but it's only because God needed a great man to walk with Him in heaven to watch over all of us, and most of all to watch over you and your family. There is no greater gift than to lay your life down at the protection of others. Your grandfather was and quite frankly still is, a HERO. God bless you and your family!

Detective Charles Hicking
Vernon Police, Vernon, CT

April 1, 2016

Leo is my grandfather, and I am his first grandchild. His life was taken 3 years before I was born. It is because of him that I hold our LEOs in high regard. Every time I encounter VSP, I notice the respect, politeness, and professionalism of each VSP officer. They are unlike any other locality in Va.

It saddens me everytime I see something like this in the news. I never knew him. Please post what stories you have. I never had a chance to meet him. I would like to hear the stories.

Austin Nicol
Grandchild

March 26, 2016

As a green teenager in the early 70's who wanted a cheap mode of transportation, I purchased an old VW bug from a mechanic at a dealership in Petersburg. I paid $500 for it. The mechanic said the title to the car would be mailed to me. As time passed, of course, no title ever came.
As fathers do, my dad warned me not to buy the car without a title, but of course I didn't listen to him. Leo was our neighbor, and I asked him if I could do anything about it. He said, " Don't worry about it." Long story short, Leo told the mechanic to produce a title or buy the car back from me and that's what the man did. I learned two lessons from that incident,1. Listen to your father, he has your best interest at heart and 2. Never underestimate the influence of a Va. State Trooper in uniform!
He had a great laugh, and is truly missed.

Cathy Martin Hall
Family friend

October 15, 2015

Trooper Whitt was in the Academy with me in 1964. He was a very mild mannered person and a good friend.

Former Trooper Ken R. Bays
Virginia State Police

September 23, 2015

Thirty years ago today but still so hard to bear. Grief left a hole in our lives so deep and wide.

Take care all of you great defenders of law and safety. We are indebted to you. Thank you for your service.

Rest in peace Trooper Whitt.

Anonymous

April 12, 2015